The London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea is a fixture you circle in the calendar every season, but this weekend’s edition is special.
Chelsea host the league leaders at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, looking for their first win in this fixture since 2021.
The pendulum has swung Arsenal’s way since Mikel Arteta took the reins, but this is as strong a Chelsea side as we have seen since the Spaniard’s arrival.
Enzo Maresca played down the title significance of Arsenal’s visit in his pre-match media duties, but this is a clash between the Premier League’s best sides so far this campaign, which is where this rarity stems from.
Reece James was on the scoresheet the last time Chelsea beat Arsenal. Who scored the other goal?
Reece James scores for Chelsea vs Arsenal
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea and Arsenal haven’t met as the top two since 2005
Considering the injuries Maresca has had to deal with in the opening months of the season, Chelsea deserve all the credit in the world for their second-place standing in the table.
Arsenal have been immense, and have stretched their lead to six points, but Sunday’s clash could be a momentum-shifter for the Blues.
It’s 20 years since the red and blue sides of London have met as the top two — a scoreless draw on April 20th 2005.
That was the season after the Gunners went unbeaten. The season that Jose Mourinho came to England. Ashley Cole says Mourinho’s Chelsea were better than the Invincibles.
Chelsea held a commanding 14-point lead in the standings at that time, so the stakes weren’t as high as they are this time around. A win at home would cut the margin to just three points.
Chelsea need to approach this Arsenal tie like a final
There’s a long way to go in the season, but these are the games that can decide who lifts the trophy in May.
If Arsenal win, they move further ahead of the pack and begin to look nailed on for a first Premier League title in over two decades.
If Chelsea win, it’s a confidence booster like no other. The midweek triumph over Barcelona was sweet, but this would be a different kettle of fish entirely.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca giving instructions to Estevao Willian
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
As such, Maresca needs to field a strong Chelsea XI against Arsenal and really go for the jugular. He has proved himself a formidable tactician in big games.
Cole Palmer is available to face Arsenal, and even though he’s likely to begin the evening on the bench, he could be a huge substitute option for the Italian.
His return couldn’t have come at a better time — ahead of the most important iteration of this tie that we have seen in 7,529 days.